PBA: Ginebra eyes finals

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel shoots for the first finals berth against defending champion San Miguel Beer tonight in PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal playoffs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Still fresh from a nail-biting 97-96 win in Game 3, the Kings can wrap up the best-of-five series with a victory in Game 4.

The last time it reached the finals, Ginebra lost to Alaska in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup.

The same coach who denied the Kings the title that year now calls the shot for the league’s most popular ballclub.

Tim Cone, however, understands that it won’t be easy.

“The more we think about it (gaining momentum), the more it’ll be harder,” said Cone. “So now, we don’t think about it. Momentum is if we won two games, then we have that, but not in winning one game.”

“We hope to close it out, of course, but we expect San Miguel Beer to fight back. They’re a tough team,” he added.

Cone owns the league record for most PBA titles with 18, including two Grand Slams in 1996 with Alaska and 2014 with San Mig Super Coffee (now Star Hotshots).

SMB is most dangerous with its back against the wall.

The Beermen recorded the biggest comeback in PBA history when they battled back from a 0-3 deficit to win the last Philippine Cup over Alaska.

“We’ve been in worse situation than this,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “0-3… we’re able to comeback.” (Waylon Galvez)